Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana.
Indianapolis: Chapman Brothers, 1893p 630 -- Thomas R. RATCLIFF. The career of this
gentleman has been prosperous in his vocation of farming and stock-raising. He has a
substantial set of farm buildings, good stock and machinery, groves, orchards and all the
other appurteances of the modern country estate. He was born on the same farm where he now
makes his home, Aug 24, 1835. Mr. Ratcliff is a son of William and Margaret Wilkerson
Ratcliff the former of whom was a son of Thomas Ratcliff who emigrated to Ohio about the
year 1813 and settled in Highland County. The father of our subject was born in NC and
when a child went to Ohio with his paernts, where he received his limited education in the
district schools of Highland County. Here he married and after the birth of one child,
emigrated to Indiana in company with his parents, a brother and sister in 1829. they came
in wagons to Hendricks County, thence to Parke County, settling in Sugar Creek Township.
William and his wife had a meagre sum with which to start, but they entered Government
land, on which they erected a very rude log hut in the timber, where the night was made
hideous by the howls of the wolves. Here in this wilderness the father and mother reared
their family of children and lived happily together. The children aer: Mary, wife of
Calvin Dicks; John; Hannah who married Matthew Simpson; Thomas; Miles and Elizabeth
(twins), the former of whom was killed at Atlanta, Ga and the latter married Harvey Ward;
Margaret, wife of C. Pithoud and Susan, deceased wife of John Hilt. By presistent and
industrious labor, Mr. Ratcliff found himself ont he road to prosperity, accumulating 300
acres of good and improved land, and was enabled to enjoy his last years in a quiet home
at Danville, Ill. He was a stanch supporter of the Whig party and took a great interest
in political work. In religion he believed in the creed of the United Brethren Church.
In connection with his farming interests, he followed for a time in different periods o
fhis life the occupation of a blacksmith and also ran a sawmill. His life companion died
in 1889 and he too passed away a few years later. Thomas R. Ratcliff, of this sketch was
with his parents until after his marriage, when he began for himself and wife by taking
charge of a portion of his father's farm. He married at the age of 22 Miss Juliet
Gray, who was a duaghter of M and Jane (Lough) Gray. The following children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Ratcliff: William M; Erastus M; Miles A; Barbara J; Elmer who died in youth;
Lertin D; Serena M and Etta. The devoted wife and mother passed to her rest in 1875 and
Mr. Ratcliff married Mary, a daughter of W. F. and Sarah Watson Jenne. This estimable
lady was born in Fountain County, Ind, her parents being natives of Ohio and New York,
respectively. Four children came to bless this union: Anna G; Freeman R; Ethest B and
Carrie m. Our subject and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and are highly
esteemed throughout this vicinity. The former is a member of the Ancient Free &
Accepted Masons, entering the lodge in 1862 at Annapolis and is a member of Harveysburg
Lodge No. 314. Politically he is a good Republicans. He is now holding the office of
Commissioner of Parke County which responsible position he has held for 9 years past in an
admirable way, not only giving credit to himself, but also to the district which he
represents. In connections with his farm work he also runs a sawmill part of the time and
is an extensive stock-raiser and shipper. Mr. Ratcliff began in life with comparatively
nothing, and by living economically and managing excellently he has through his promptness
in meeting all obligations accumualted a great amoung of land, aggregating about 500
acres, besides giving a good portion of his estate to his children as a start in life.
The 160 acres of land that he owned in Vermilion County, Ill he traded for his
father's old farm about the time the war closed. He is enthusiastic in all his
undertakings and is esteemed and respected by all who know him.